Minke Whale

On average, the Antarctic Minke is slightly longer than all forms of the common Minke

Mature males average 8.36 m in length and weigh 6.85 tons, but they can reach a total length of 9.63 m and a weight of 11.05 tons

Females are slightly longer with a mean total length of 7.57 m and a maximum measured length of 10.22 m

Females are larger than males, occasionally growing to a maximum of 10,000 kg

Shape

Minke whales are stocky, having a layer of blubber several inches thick

The Minke whale has two long flippers (up to 1/8 of the body size), a small dorsal fin, and a series of small ridges along the its back near the flukes (tail)

The head is pointed and bulletlike, with a relatively small rostrum

Baleen plates number around 300, are yellowish in color, and occasionally assymetrical in pattern

There are between 50-70 ventral throat grooves

The dorsal fin is hook-shaped and located about two-thirds the length of the body from the anterior

A broad white band trims the dorsal side of flippers

The tail extends into two long tips

The dorsal fin is high and curved back

The rostrum is narrow and pointed Baleen plates are black on the left side and on the posterior 2/3 of the right side, while the remaining baleen plates are white. The baleen plate filaments average about 3.0 mm in diameter. Antarctic minke whales have larger skulls than common Minke whales.

Color

Coloration is dark above with a white underbelly

Similar to common Minke whales, Antarctic minke whales are dark grey on the back with a pale ventral side

The main recognition character that allows for the distinction of Antarctic Minke whales from common Minke whales is the absence of a white patch on the flippers in Antarctic Minke whales